Is your story holding you back?

Ever have those weeks or months where the same theme keeps popping up?

I have several projects in the air currently. I’m also reading two different books, and like always, I have been thinking as to how I can better mold and sharpen my image as a fitness professional while also honing in on a clearer image for real [FIT] life.

It’s marketing 101, really. Know what message you are trying to convey. Know how others perceive you. Occasionally take the time to make sure those two things are matching up. It’s important we do this for personal growth as well as professional.

We all have the stories we make up for ourselves. With our history, things that have happened to us, there are the things that we think truly define who we are. Sometimes we let these stories limit us as well.

In a recent podcast interview with Nia Shanks, we shared some personal background. I talked about my past and how, for some time, I let that limit the way I viewed myself. I talked about my deliberate journey to grow into a “new me” and create a new definition of who I was. Of who I am.

Sharing my story with Nia also pointed out to me something I’ve been feeling for a while. That story is old. It’s time to fondly let it go and make room for new chapters.

Kate White is former Cosmopolitan editor in chief and the author of the book “I shouldn’t be telling you this”. I bought it a couple years ago at an event she spoke at, and it’s been sitting on my living room end table ever since. Something inspired me to finally pick it up and give it a read.

White really drives home the message that if you want success, you have to “go big or go home”. She stresses that it’s vital to always be on your toes looking for the next opportunity and gives advice on how to stick it out in less than ideal work situations until a chance to move on opens up.

White also recommends asking other people for feedback on how they perceive you. White explains that we often overlook our assets and strong suits that other people might find to be our greatest and most useful (and marketable) traits.

It can be difficult to narrow it down and define who we are when we are at our best, and to determine which skills we posses that really help us to shine in the eyes of others.

Why not ask other people to do that for us? When do others see us bring our most solid A game?

While opening ourselves up for an honest personal critique can be a tad terrifying, asking others how they see us can also bring new insight. It can be enlightening and freeing.

Whites reminder that the way we see ourselves is not always accurate really hit home for me. It also caused me to question ways (maybe out of date?) in which I see myself.

This morning, I had the pleasure of brainstorming with a panel of local people, including Brianna Snyder and Tracy Ormsbee, senior editor of the magazine division at the Times Union and senior editor of the Times Union, respectively. Our topic of discussion was the Times Union publication518Life. Brianna and Tracy had invited us to hang out over coffee and let them know what our honest thoughts and opinions were about the local publication. They enthusiastically invited us to just let loose with our ideas on how they can make their publication extra special for all of us in the community.

We not only talked about how we saw the publication, but how we, as individuals, see the 518 area.

Someone even asked if the way we see our area is the way other people also see it? Many aspects about our lives shape the way we see our surroundings. It reminded me of how narrow and personal our own perceptions can be.

Sitting at this table with such diverse, energetic, creative people, all possessing multi faceted backgrounds, skills, and careers made us all look at each other and think, “Wow. There really ARE some incredible people in this region”.

Leaving the Times Union this morning I felt convinced that the universe is telling me, “Yes Jeannine, it’s time to let go of some of these old stories that are weighing you down and open yourself up to what your new story line can be”.

I’ve started really listening to myself when I talk to others. Over the last couple weeks a part of me always seems to be standing aside and checking my statements. “Why did you just say that? Is it true? Do you really believe that about yourself?” I’ve realized that sometimes the answer is, “No, I don’t”.

In interviews, in brainstorming sessions with fellow professionals, I hear myself say to others, “I am this. I am not that”. I define myself in ways that potentially limit me and I am becoming increasingly aware that I need to stop.

Life is a moving target. I may see myself in only partial light and I forget that I can write any story I want to.

Sometimes its necessary to move past what we see and to be brave enough, to dare enough, to venture towards what we feel.

Life is made for risks. Nothing is ever a guarantee.

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